Immunopathogenesis of urticaria: a clinical perspective on histamine and cytokine involvement

Inflamm Res. 2024 May;73(5):877-896. doi: 10.1007/s00011-024-01869-6. Epub 2024 Mar 31.

Abstract

Background: Urticaria is a clinical condition characterized by the appearance of wheals (hives), angioedema, or both. Over the last several decades, a better understanding of the mechanisms at play in the immunopathogenesis of urticaria has underscored the existence of numerous urticaria subtypes. Separating the different kinds of urticaria explicitly helps find the best detection method for the management of this skin disorder. Subtypes of urticaria also include both spontaneous and physical types. The conventional ones include spontaneous urticaria, constituting both acute and chronic urticaria. Therefore, a broad and effective therapy is essential for the diagnosis and treatment of urticaria.

Methods: To understand the immunopathogenesis of urticaria, various databases, including PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, were used to retrieve original articles and reviews related to urticaria. While information on several clinical trials were obtained from clinicaltrials.gov database.

Results: This article highlights the immunopathogenesis involved in the intricate interaction between cellular infiltration, immune reactions, coagulation cascades, and autoantibodies that underlie urticaria's pathophysiology.

Conclusion: The recent progress in understanding urticaria can help to understand the intricate characteristics in the immunopathogenesis of urticaria and could play a beneficial role in the management of urticaria.

Keywords: Cytokines; Diagnosis; Histamine; Mast cell; Subtypes; Urticaria.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cytokines* / immunology
  • Histamine* / immunology
  • Humans
  • Urticaria* / immunology

Substances

  • Histamine
  • Cytokines